Algolake

Algolake was a self-unloading bulk carrier owned and operated by Algoma Central. The ship entered service in 1977 on the Saint Lawrence Seaway. In 1994, the ship ran aground in the St. Lawrence River off Quebec. The ship was laid up for scrapping in 2018, renamed Gola and was later scrapped in Aliağa, Turkey.

Algolake moored in Toronto in 2013
History
Name:	Algolake (1977–2018) Gola (2018)
Owner:	Algoma Central
Operator:	Algoma Central
Builder:	Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, Ontario
Yard number:	211
Launched:	29 October 1976
Completed:	April 1977
In service:	1977
Out of service:	2018
Identification:	IMO number: 7423093
Fate:	Sold for scrapping 2018
General characteristics
Type:	Bulk carrier
Tonnage:	22,851 GT 31,040 DWT
Length:	222.5 m (730.0 ft) oa 216.7 m (711.0 ft) pp
Beam:	23.0 m (75.5 ft)
Installed power:	4,500 shp (3,400 kW)
Propulsion:	1 × shaft, 2 × diesel engines
Speed:	15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)

Description

Algolake was constructed to seawaymax dimensions. The bulk carrier is 222.5 metres (730.0 ft) long overall and 216.7 metres (711.0 ft) between perpendiculars with a beam of 23.0 metres (75.5 ft). The ship has a tonnage of 22,851 GT and 31,040 DWT. The vessel is powered by two diesel engines creating 4,500 shaft horsepower (3,400 kW) driving one shaft enclosed in a kort nozzle.[1][2] Algolake has a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). Algolake has a single superstructure in the stern.[3]

Service history

Algolake was a bulk carrier owned by Algoma Central.[2] She was launched by Collingwood Shipyards at Collingwood, Ontario on 29 October 1976—after lake freighters stopped being built with a distinctive superstructure incorporating the ship's bridge, right up in the bow, and another, over the ship's engines, right in the stern.[3] The ship was completed in April 1977 and entered service on the Saint Lawrence Seaway.[1] Algolake departed on her maiden voyage on 17 April 1977.[2]

On 23 September 1994, Algolake was headed to Detroit, Michigan with a load of iron ore when the ship ran aground in the St. Lawrence River. The vessel was sailing at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) when Algolake ran aground, suffering some damage to her hull. However, no one was injured and no pollution reported.[4]

According to Soo Today, a life extension for Algolake was one of the reasons why Algoma Central's profits were down sharply in 2009.[5] The ship was laid up for scrapping in 2018.[6] That year, the vessel was sold, renamed Gola and was later scrapped in July at Aliağa, Turkey.[1]

References

1. "Algolake (7423093)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
2. Wharton, George. "Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature -- Algolake". Boatnerd. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
3. "Algolake". Duluth Shipping News. 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2013. She was the first Algoma ship with all her superstructure, meaning the cabins and pilothouse, in the rear (aft) of the ship. Before this, their ships had the pilothouse forward.
4. "Marine Occurrence Report: Grounding of the Bulk Carrier "Algolake" in the Traverse du Nord, St Lawrence River, Quebec 23 September 1994" (PDF). Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
5. Helwig, David (19 February 2009). "Profits drop sharply at Algoma Central". Soo Today. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018. Amortization expense has increased as a result of a full year charge for the Honourable Henry Jackman, the addition of the three geared ocean bulk carriers, and the amortization of the investment in the life extensions of the John B. Aird and the Algolake.
6. "24 th Great Lakes Ship Annual Winter Lay-Up List - 2017 - 2018". www.boatnerd.com. Retrieved 7 June 2018.